American Express reports strong premium‑card revenue growth in Q1 2026

American Express posted a net profit of about $16.5 billion for the first quarter of 2026, up roughly 11 % from the same period a year earlier. The company said the increase was driven by higher spending on premium‑segment cards, especially on travel and entertainment, which boosted fee and interest revenues. The firm reaffirmed its full‑year 2026 earnings outlook and noted that net credit losses rose only modestly.

Separately, American Express announced a limited‑time promotion offering a 30 % bonus on Membership Rewards points transferred to Virgin Atlantic accounts through July 31. The bonus applies to eligible Amex Platinum and Gold cards but not to co‑branded Delta SkyMiles cards, and eligibility may vary among cardmembers. Transfers clear instantly, though new Virgin accounts may experience a short delay.